Human-likeness assessment for the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis

Abstract

The Uncanny Valley Hypothesis (UVH, proposed in the 1970s) suggests that looking at or interacting with almost human-like artificial characters would trigger eeriness or discomfort. We studied how well subjects can assess degrees of human likeness for computer-generated characters. We conducted two studies, where subjects were asked to assess human likeness of given computer-generated models (Study 1) and to point the most typical model for a given category (Study 2). The results suggest that evaluation of the way human likeness is assessed should be an internal part of UVH research.

The Background Context Condition for the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis

“…Let us now analyse the ordering of the models accordingly to DOH. In accordance with the results of our previous study with these models (see [6]) we have not assumed any pre-ordering of the presented models. The resulting DOH ordering is based solely on the subject's assessment.…”

“…Also joints of body parts are clearly visible, which give them a very mechanical appearance. These features were previously tested in a study concerning degrees of human likeness presented in [6]. All the models used in the study are presented in the "Appendix" of this paper.…”

“…However, our main research question for this study was whether a background context change will play a role in the aforementioned dimensions. For this we have used 12, previously tested (see [6]) computer-generated models. We have prepared two sets of stimuli: (A) models presented on a neutral background (empty room) and (B) the same models rendered on a suitable background, which was relevant to a given model (science-fiction scenery, town etc.).…”

Attitude Towards Humanoid Robots and the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis

“…Features as trustworthiness and hostility are especially important in the light of our findings. It is worth to mention here that when it comes to human-likeness assessment of models from our study sample we have obtained analogical results to the ones from the study presented in [7]. What is more, the same set of models was used in another study concerning the background condition for UVH (see [8])-also in this case the DOH ordering was the same (four groups of models were established by subjects' evaluations).…”

“…Also, joints of body parts are clearly visible, which give them a very mechanical appearance. These features were previously tested in a study concerning degrees of human likeness presented in [7]. On the basis of this previous study we have resigned form zombie models in the stimuli set as they triggered strong emotional reactions.…”